If You Give a Grump a Holiday Wishlist (Aspen Grove #0.5)

by Ann Einerson

For those who wished for a grumpy, hot as coal billionaire for Christmas this year, Jack Sinclair is my gift to you.

If you give a grump a holiday wishlist, you might be tempted to invite him home for the holidays. And if you invite him home for the holidays, he’ll pretend to be your boyfriend. He’ll want to sleep in the same bed so everyone thinks that you’re a couple, and then he’ll ask you for a kiss under the mistletoe so he knows what you taste like…

The problem is figuring out how to maintain a professional working relationship with a woman I’m tempted to bend over my desk.

“Need me to take the edge off, baby?” he taunts me with a smirk, clearly getting a kick out of provoking me. “An orgasm might help you fall asleep, and an attentive boyfriend would never leave you wanting.”

The idea of her getting hurt sends a sharp pain through my chest. I instinctively draw her closer, comforted by the steady rhythm of her breathing.

“You have a thing for staring at me, don’t you?” she says softly. “Can you blame me when you’re so goddamn beautiful?” “You really shouldn’t say things like that to me.” “Why the hell not?” I challenge. “Because you’re my boss,” she reminds me with a hint of that sass I love so much.

Even first thing in the morning, she’s still the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.

“You deserve a magical kiss under the mistletoe, and I’m the one who’s going to give it to you.”

“You make me feel things I’ve never experienced before.” I keep my voice low and steady. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m insanely attracted to you, and now that I’ve felt your mouth on mine, I’m consumed with thoughts of kissing you again.”

“You’re so damn beautiful, it’s messing with my head,” I utter quietly. “Tell me you’re not attracted to me, and I’ll stop. Say the word, Presley, and I’ll walk away.”

“You have captured my heart piece by piece, weaving your way into my very soul, and before I knew it, you had claimed all of me.”